Apparatus, system and method for performing an electrosurgical procedure

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A solenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a drive rod operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of the solenoid imparts one of longitudinal and rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw members moves between the open and closed positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/909,362 filed on Jun. 4, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.8,858,554, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/464,569 filed on May 4, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,454,602, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/437,254 filed on May 7, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.8,187,273, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method forperforming an electrosurgical procedure. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method for performing anelectrosurgical procedure that employs an endoscopic or laparoscopicelectrosurgical apparatus that includes an end effector assemblyconfigured for use with various size access ports.

2. Description of Related Art

Electrosurgical apparatuses (e.g., electrosurgical forceps) are wellknown in the medical arts and typically include a handle, a shaft and anend effector assembly operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaftthat is configured to manipulate tissue (e.g., grasp and seal tissue).Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action andelectrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and bloodvessels to coagulate, cauterize, seal, cut, desiccate, and/or fulguratetissue

As an alternative to open electrosurgical forceps for use with opensurgical procedures, many modern surgeons use endoscopes and endoscopicelectrosurgical apparatus (e.g., endoscopic forceps or laparoscopicforceps) for remotely accessing organs through smaller, puncture-likeincisions. As a direct result thereof, patients tend to benefit fromless scarring and reduced healing time. Typically, the endoscopicforceps are inserted into the patient through one or more various typesof cannulas or access ports (typically having an opening that rangesfrom about five millimeters to about twelve millimeters) that has beenmade with a trocar; as can be appreciated, smaller cannulas are usuallypreferred.

Forceps that are configured for use with small cannulas (e.g., cannulasless than five millimeters) may present design challenges for amanufacturer of surgical instruments.

SUMMARY

As noted above, smaller cannulas or access ports are usually preferredduring an endoscopic procedure. However, because of size constraintsassociated with the cannula or access port, endoscopic forceps that areconfigured for use with the smaller cannulas may present designchallenges for a manufacturer (e.g., designing an end effector assemblyof an endoscopic forceps without compromising the integrity and/orfunctionality thereof).

Therefore, it may prove useful in the relevant arts to provide anendoscopic forceps that includes an end effector assembly that isconfigured for use with various types of cannulas or access portsincluding those that are less than five millimeters. With this purposein mind, the present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps adapted toconnect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The bipolar forcepsincludes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handleand one or more shafts that extend from the housing that defines alongitudinal axis therethrough. An end effector assembly operativelyconnects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first andsecond jaw members movable from an open spaced apart position to aclosed position to grasp tissue. A solenoid is in operativecommunication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a driverod that operatively couples to at least one of the first and second jawmembers for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first andsecond jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage oneor more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of thesolenoid imparts at least one of longitudinal and rotational movement ofthe drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw membersmoves from a first position to a second to clamp tissue.

The present disclosure also provides a method for performing anelectrosurgical procedure. The method includes the initial step ofproviding a bipolar forceps adapted to connect to a source ofelectrosurgical energy. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having ahandle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts thatextend from the housing that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough.An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of theshaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members movable froman open spaced apart position to a closed position to grasp tissue. Asolenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle andoperatively couples to a drive rod that operatively couples to at leastone of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof.One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or moreteeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rodsuch that rotation of the solenoid imparts at least one of longitudinaland rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of thefirst and second jaw members moves from a first position to a second toclamp tissue. The method also includes the steps of: positioning tissuebetween the pair of first and second jaw members; actuating theelectromechanical device to move the drive rod causing the first andsecond jaw members to move towards each other such that tissue isgrasped therebetween; and applying electrosurgical energy to the jawmembers such that a tissue seal may be effected therebetween.

The present disclosure further provides a system for performing anelectrosurgical device. The system includes a bipolar forceps adapted toconnect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The bipolar forcepsincludes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handleand one or more shafts that extend from the housing that defines alongitudinal axis therethrough. An end effector assembly operativelyconnects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first andsecond jaw members movable from an open spaced apart position to aclosed position to grasp tissue. A solenoid is in operativecommunication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a driverod that operatively couples to at least one of the first and second jawmembers for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first andsecond jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage oneor more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of thesolenoid imparts at least one of longitudinal and rotational movement ofthe drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw membersmoves from a first position to a second to clamp tissue. The system alsoincludes a control system having one or more algorithms for one ofindependently controlling and monitoring the delivery of electrosurgicalenergy from the source of electrosurgical energy to theelectromechanical device and a tissue sealing plate on each of the jawmembers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelowwith references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical apparatus andelectrosurgical generator according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an electrical configuration forconnecting the electrosurgical apparatus to the electrosurgicalgenerator depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, side perspective view of a drive assemblysuitable for use with the end effector assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, side perspective view of a gear configurationsuitable for use with the drive assembly of FIG. 4 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, side perspective view of an axial cam slotconfiguration suitable for use with the drive assembly of FIG. 4according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, side perspective view of the end effectorassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating components of a control systemconfigured for use with the electrosurgical apparatus andelectrosurgical generator of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for performing an electrosurgicalprocedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein;however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of thedisclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailedstructure.

The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical apparatus (e.g.,endoscopic or laparoscopic forceps) that includes an end effectorassembly that includes a jaw assembly operatively coupled to one or moreelectromechanical drive assemblies for causing movement of the jawassembly.

With reference to FIG. 1 an illustrative embodiment of anelectrosurgical generator 200 (generator 200) is shown. Generator 200operatively and selectively connects to an endoscopic or laparoscopicforceps (e.g., bipolar forceps 10) for performing an electrosurgicalprocedure. As noted above, an electrosurgical procedure may includesealing, cutting, cauterizing coagulating, desiccating, and fulguratingtissue; all of which may employ RF energy. Generator 200 may beconfigured for monopolar and/or bipolar modes of operation. Generator200 includes all suitable components, parts, and/or members needed for acontrol system 300 (system 300) to function as intended. Generator 200generates electrosurgical energy, which may be RF (radio frequency),microwave, ultrasound, infrared, ultraviolet, laser, thermal energy orother suitable electrosurgical energy.

An electrosurgical module 220 generates RF energy and includes a powersupply 250 for generating energy and an output stage 252, whichmodulates the energy that is provided to the delivery device(s), such asthe end effector assembly 100, for delivery of the modulated energy to apatient. Power supply 250 may be a high voltage DC or AC power supplyfor producing electrosurgical current, where control signals generatedby the system 300 adjust parameters of the voltage and current output,such as magnitude and frequency. The output stage 252 may modulate theoutput energy (e.g., via a waveform generator) based on signalsgenerated by the system 300 to adjust waveform parameters, e.g.,waveform shape, pulse width, duty cycle, crest factor, and/or repetitionrate. System 300 may be coupled to the generator module 220 byconnections that may include wired and/or wireless connections forproviding the control signals to the generator module 220.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the electrosurgical apparatus can be anysuitable type of electrosurgical apparatus, including but not limited toelectrosurgical apparatuses that can grasp and/or perform any of theabove mentioned electrosurgical procedures. As noted above, one type ofelectrosurgical apparatus may include bipolar forceps 10 as disclosed inUnited States Patent Publication No. 2007/0173814 entitled “VesselSealer and Divider For Large Tissue Structures”. A brief discussion ofbipolar forceps 10 and components, parts, and members associatedtherewith is included herein to provide further detail and to aid in theunderstanding of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, bipolar forceps 10 is shown for usewith various electrosurgical procedures and generally includes a housing20, a handle assembly 30 that includes a movable handle 40 and a fixedhandle 50, a rotating assembly 80, a trigger assembly 70, a shaft 12, adrive assembly 130, and an end effector assembly 100, which mutuallycooperate to grasp, seal and/or divide large tubular vessels and largevascular tissues. Although the majority of the figure drawings depict abipolar forceps 10 for use in connection with endoscopic or laparoscopicsurgical procedures, the present disclosure may be used for moretraditional open surgical procedures.

Shaft 12 has a distal end 16 dimensioned to mechanically engage the endeffector assembly 100 and a proximal end 14 which mechanically engagesthe housing 20. In the drawings and in the descriptions that follow, theterm “proximal,” as is traditional, will refer to the end of the forceps10 that is closer to the user, while the term “distal” will refer to theend that is farther from the user.

Forceps 10 includes an electrosurgical cable 410 that connects theforceps 10 to a source of electrosurgical energy, e.g., generator 200,shown schematically in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, cable 410 isinternally divided into cable leads 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, and 425 b whichare designed to transmit electrical potentials through their respectivefeed paths through the forceps 10 to the end effector assembly 100.

For a more detailed description of shaft 12, trigger assembly 70,rotating assembly 80 and electrosurgical cable 410 (including line-feedconfigurations and/or connections) reference is made to commonly ownedPatent Publication No., 2003-0229344, filed on Feb. 20, 2003, entitled“VESSEL SEALER AND DIVIDER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME.”

With reference again to FIG. 1, movable handle 40 includes an apertureconfigured for receiving one or more of an operator's fingers to enhancemovement of the handle 40. Movable handle 40 is in operativecommunication with generator 200 including system 300, end effectorassembly 100 and/or drive assembly 130. Movable handle 40 is selectivelymovable from a first position relative to a fixed handle 50 to a secondposition in closer proximity to the fixed handle 50 to close jaw members110 and 120. The internal electrically and/or mechanically cooperatingcomponents associated with the movable handle 40 to impart movement ofthe jaw members 110, 120 of end effector assembly 100 is commonly knownand may include any number of electrical connections, configurationsand/or components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors, rheostats,etc.), and gears, links, springs, and/or rods such that forceps 10 mayfunction as intended.

Fixed handle 50 provides a gripping surface for an operator's hand suchthat an operator may effectively manipulate the forceps 10 internal orexternal a patient.

With reference now to FIG. 3, drive assembly 130 is shown. As notedabove, drive assembly 130 operatively connects to movable handle 40 suchthat an operator may impart movement of the jaw members 110, 120. Withthis purpose in mind, drive assembly 130 may include any number ofelectrical connections, configurations and/or components (e.g.,resistors, capacitors, inductors, rheostats, etc.), and gears, links,springs, and/or rods such that forceps 10 may function as intended. Inan embodiment, drive assembly includes a solenoid 132 and a drive rod134 that operatively couples to one or both of the jaw members 110, 120.While drive assembly 130 is shown including solenoid 132, otherelectromechanical and/or mechanical devices may be included and/oremployed with the drive assembly 130 of the present disclosure, such as,for example, transducers, relays, and the like.

Solenoid 132 may be operatively supported at a distal end of shaft 12and operatively disposed relative to end effector 100 and/or jaw members110, 120, such that movement of solenoid 132 causes movement of the jawmembers 110, 120. Solenoid 132 serves to convert energy (e.g.,electrosurgical energy in the form of an actuation signal) into linearmotion, rotational motion, or combination thereof, such that jaw members110, 120 may move from an opened to closed configuration such thattissue may be grasped therebetween. Solenoid 132 operativelycommunicates with generator 200 and may include any number of contactsand/or leads. For example, solenoid 132 may include one or more contacts(not explicitly shown) that operatively couple to cable 410. In anembodiment, solenoid 132 may includes a clevis 136 and/or other suitablestructure located at a distal end thereof that operatively connects todrive rod 134.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, drive rod 134 is shown. Drive rod134 is configured to operatively couple to one or both of the jawmembers 110, 120 such that one or both of the jaw members 110, 120is/are moveable from an open configuration to a closed configuration. Tothis end, drive rod 134 communicates the linear and/or rotational motionproduced by solenoid 132 to one or both of the jaw members 110, 120. Inan embodiment, drive rod 134 may include and/or define a bore or opening138, or other suitable structure(s) that couples to clevis 136 ofsolenoid 132. As shown, opening 138 is defined by drive rod 134 and isgenerally circumferential in shape and includes a bar or other suitablestructure 140 that is configured to engage clevis 136.

Drive rod 134 and one or both of the jaw members 110,120 may beconfigured to form a worm gear configuration (FIG. 4). This type of gearconfiguration is known in the art and typically includes one or moreteeth and/or screw-type threads that are configured to matingly engagewith each other. While the drive assembly 130 of the present disclosureis described in terms of use with the worm gear configuration, othergear configurations are contemplated, such as, for example, spur gear,single and/or double helical gears, bevel gears, crown gears, hypoidgears, etc.

Depending on a specific gear configuration, opening 138 may beconfigured to impart linear and/or rotational motion of drive rod 134.For example, in an embodiment that employs a worm gear configuration,opening 138 may be located at a proximal end of drive rod 134. In thisinstance, rotational movement of the solenoid 132 causes a “worm” (e.g.,drive rod 134) to rotate, which, in turn, causes a “gear” (e.g., a gearstructure 142 operatively coupled to one or both of the jaw members 110,120) to rotate and cause one or both of the jaw members 110, 120 to movefrom an opened to closed configuration. Gear structure 142 includes aproximal end including a plurality of teeth 144 and an elongated distalend 146 configured to operatively couple to one or both of the jawmembers 110, 120. For illustrative purposes, gear structure is shownoperatively coupled to jaw member 120. As can be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art, different gear configurations, which mayinclude more or less of the same, similar, and/or different structuresand/or operative connections, may be employed with the drive assembly130 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the drive assembly 130. In thisinstance, the drive rod 134 and one or both of the jaw members 110,120form an “axial cam-slot” configuration. More particularly, drive rod 134includes similar structure (e.g., opening 138 and bar 140) as mentionedabove and previously described, and includes one or more rotational campins 150 located at a distal end thereof that is configured to engageone or more corresponding cam mechanisms 152 operatively coupled to ordefined by one or both of the jaw members 110, 120. Cam mechanism 152includes a proximal end including one or more cam slots 154 configuredto engage cam pin 150 and elongated distal end 156 configured tooperatively couple to one or both of the jaw members 110, 120. Forillustrative purposes, cam slot(s) 154 is shown operatively coupled jawmember 120. In this instance, rotational movement of the solenoid 132causes cam pin 150 of drive rod 134 to rotate within cam slot 154 on oneor both of the jaw members 110, 120, which, in turn, causes one or bothof the jaw members 110, 120 to move from an opened to closedconfiguration. Different camming configurations, which may include moreor less of the same, similar, and/or different structures and/oroperative connections, may be employed with the drive assembly 130 ofthe present disclosure.

With reference now to FIG. 6 end effector assembly 100 is shown attachedat the distal end 16 of shaft 12 and includes a pair of opposing jawmembers 110 and 120. As noted above, movable handle 40 of handleassembly 30 operatively couples to drive assembly 130 which, together,electromechanically cooperate to impart movement of the jaw members 110and 120 from an open position wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 aredisposed in spaced relation relative to one another, to a clamping orclosed position wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 cooperate to grasptissue therebetween.

Jaw member 110 includes an insulative jaw housing 117 and anelectrically conductive seal plate 118 (seal plate 118). The insulator117 is configured to securely engage the electrically conductive sealplate 118. This may be accomplished by stamping, by overmolding, byovermolding a stamped electrically conductive sealing plate and/or byovermolding a metal injection molded seal plate. All of thesemanufacturing techniques produce an electrode having a seal plate 118that is substantially surrounded by the insulating substrate. Within thepurview of the present disclosure, jaw member 110 may include a jawhousing 117 that is integrally formed with a seal plate 118.

Jaw member 120 includes a similar structure having an outer insulativehousing 127 that is overmolded to capture seal plate 128.

As noted above, one or both of the jaw members 110, 120 is/areoperatively connected to drive rod 134 of drive assembly 130. In anembodiment, one or both of the jaw members 110, 120 may be operativelyconnected to one or more gear structures 142 (FIG. 4 illustrates jawmember 120 operatively coupled to gear structure 142) that areconfigured to mesh with one or more teeth or screw-type threads, suchas, for example, those associated with a worm gear configuration.Alternatively, one or both of the jaw members may be operatively coupledto one or more cam mechanism 152 (FIG. 5 illustrates jaw member 120operatively coupled to cam slot structure 152). In some embodiments, oneor both of the jaw members 110, 120, may include openings located at aproximal end thereof and configured to receive one or more of the gearstructures 142 and/or cam mechanisms 152.

One or both of the jaw members 110,120 include one or more sensors 316(FIG. 6). Sensors 316 are placed at predetermined locations on, in, oralong surfaces of the jaw members 110, 120. In some embodiments, endeffector assembly 100 and/or jaw members 110 and 120 may have sensors316 placed near a proximal end and/or near a distal end of jaw members110 and 120, as well as along the length of jaw members 110 and 120.

With reference again to FIG. 1, a system 300 for performing anelectrosurgical procedure (e.g., RF tissue procedure) is shown. System300 is configured to, among other things, analyze parameters such as,for example, power, temperature, pressure, current, voltage, impedance,etc., such that a proper tissue effect can be achieved.

With reference now to FIG. 7, system 300 includes one or more processors302 in operative communication with a control module 304 executable onthe processor 302, and may be configured to quantify one or more variousparameters (e.g., electrical and/or mechanical parameters associatedwith bipolar forceps 10) such that a consistent and effective tissueeffect may be achieved. Control module 304 instructs one or more modulesto transmit electrosurgical energy, which may be in the form of a waveor signal/pulse, via one or more cables (e.g., cable 410) to one or bothseal plates 118, 128 and/or an electromechanical drive assembly 130(drive assembly 130). Control module 304 may instruct an actuationcontrol module 306 (ACM 306) to transmit electrosurgical energy in theform of an actuation signal, via one or more cables (e.g., cable 410) todrive assembly 130.

The control module 304 processes information and/or signals (e.g.,pressure data from sensors 316) input to the processor 302 and generatescontrol signals for modulating the electrosurgical energy in accordancewith the input information and/or signals. Information may includepre-surgical data (e.g., pressure threshold values) entered prior to theelectrosurgical procedure or information entered and/or obtained duringthe electrosurgical procedure through one or more modules (e.g., ACM306) and/or other suitable device(s). The information may includerequests, instructions, ideal mapping(s) (e.g., look-up-tables,continuous mappings, etc.), sensed information and/or mode selection.

The control module 304 regulates the generator 200 (e.g., the powersupply 250 and/or the output stage 252) which adjusts various parameters(e.g., voltage, current, resistance, etc.). Control module 304 may alsoregulate the electrosurgical energy delivered to the patient (via one orboth of the seal plates) and/or to the drive assembly 130 during theelectrosurgical procedure.

The control module 304 includes software instructions executable by theprocessor 302 for processing algorithms and/or data received by sensors316, and for outputting control signals to the generator module 220and/or other modules. The software instructions may be stored in astorage medium such as a memory internal to the processor 302 and/or amemory accessible by the processor 302, such as an external memory,e.g., an external hard drive, floppy diskette, CD-ROM, etc.

In some embodiments, an audio or visual feedback monitor or indicator(not explicitly shown) may be employed to convey information to thesurgeon regarding the status of a component of the electrosurgicalsystem or the electrosurgical procedure (e.g., pressure exerted by thejaw members on tissue grasped therebetween). Control signals provided tothe generator module 220 are determined by processing (e.g., performingalgorithms), which may include using information and/or signals providedby sensors 316.

The control module 304 regulates the electrosurgical energy in responseto feedback information (e.g., information related to tissue conditionat or proximate the surgical site and/or information related to jawoperation). Processing of the feedback information may includedetermining: changes in the feedback information; rate of change of thefeedback information; and/or relativity of the feedback information tocorresponding values sensed prior to starting the procedure(pre-surgical values) in accordance with the mode, control variable(s)and ideal curve(s) selected. The control module 304 then sends controlsignals to the generator module 220 such as for regulating the powersupply 250 and/or the output stage 252.

Regulation of certain parameters of the electrosurgical energy may bebased on a tissue response such as recognition of when a proper seal isachieved and/or when a predetermined threshold temperature value isachieved. Recognition of the event may automatically switch thegenerator 200 to a different mode of operation and subsequently switchthe generator 200 back to an original mode after the event has occurred.In embodiments, recognition of the event may automatically switch thegenerator 200 to a different mode of operation and subsequently shutoffthe generator 200.

ACM 306 (shown as two modules for illustrative purposes) may be digitaland/or analog circuitry that can receive instructions from and providestatus to a processor 302 (via, for example, a digital-to-analog oranalog-to-digital converter). ACM 306 is also coupled to control module304 to receive one or more electrosurgical energy waves at a frequencyand amplitude specified by the processor 302, and/or transmit theelectrosurgical energy waves along the cable 410 to one or both of theseal plates 118, 128, drive assembly 130, and/or sensors 316. ACM 306can also amplify, filter, and digitally sample return signals receivedby sensors 316 and transmitted along cable 410.

A sensor module 308 senses electromagnetic, electrical, and/or physicalparameters or properties at the operating site and communicates with thecontrol module 304 and/or ACM 306 to regulate the output electrosurgicalenergy. The sensor module 308 may be configured to measure, e.g.,“sense”, various electromagnetic, electrical, physical, and/orelectromechanical conditions, such as at or proximate the operatingsite, including: tissue impedance, tissue temperature, tissue pressure(i.e., pressure exerted by the jaw members on tissue), and so on. Forexample, sensors of the sensor module 308 may include sensors 316 and/orother suitable sensor(s), such as, for example, optical sensor(s),proximity sensor(s), tissue moisture sensor(s), temperature sensor(s),and/or real-time and RMS current and voltage sensing systems. The sensormodule 308 measures one or more of these conditions continuously or inreal-time such that the control module 304 can continually modulate theelectrosurgical output in real-time.

In some embodiments, sensors 316 may include a smart sensor assembly(e.g., a smart sensor, smart circuit, computer, and/or feedback loop,etc. (not explicitly shown)). For example, the smart sensor may includea feedback loop which indicates when a tissue seal is complete basedupon one or more of the following parameters: tissue temperature, tissuepressure, tissue impedance at the seal, change in impedance of thetissue over time and/or changes in the power or current applied to thetissue over time. An audible or visual feedback monitor may be employedto convey information to the surgeon regarding the overall seal qualityor the completion of an effective tissue seal.

Operation of bipolar forceps 10 under the control of system 300 is nowdescribed. Initially the jaw members 110, 120 are in an openconfiguration and tissue is positioned therebetween. An operatorsqueezes movable handle 40 in a direction toward fixed handle 50.Processor 302 instructs ACM 306 to generate electrosurgical energy(e.g., in the form of an actuation signal) in response to the processorinstructions. The ACM 306 can access a pulse rate frequency clockassociated with a time source (not explicitly shown) to form anelectrosurgical pulse/signal (e.g., actuation signal) exhibiting theattributes (e.g., amplitude and frequency) specified by the processor302 and can transmit such pulse/signal on one or more cables (e.g.,cable 410) to drive assembly 130, sensors 316, and/or one or morecontacts (not explicitly shown) of solenoid 132. In another embodiment,the processor does not specify attributes of the electrosurgicalpulse/signal, but rather instructs/triggers other circuitry to form theelectrosurgical pulse/signal and/or performs timing measurements onsignals conditioned and/or filtered by other circuitry.

Solenoid 132 converts a portion of the electrosurgical energy of theactuation signal to rotational motion, which, in turn, causes rotationof drive rod 134 of drive assembly 130. Rotation of drive rod 134imparts movement on one or both of the jaw members 110, 120 such thattissue may be grasped therebetween.

Data, such as, for example, pressure, temperature, impedance and soforth is sensed by sensors 316 and transmitted to and sampled by the ACM306 and/or sensor module 308.

The data can be processed by the processor 302 and/or ACM 306 todetermine, for example, when a threshold pressure (e.g., pressureexerted on tissue by the jaw members 110, 120) value has been achieved.The processor 302 can subsequently transmit and/or otherwise communicatethe data to the control module 304 such that output power from generator200 may be adjusted accordingly. The processor 302 can also subsequentlytransmit and/or otherwise communicate the data to a local digital dataprocessing device, a remote digital data processing device, an LEDdisplay, a computer program, and/or to any other type of entity (none ofwhich being explicitly shown) capable of receiving the such data.

Upon reaching a desired threshold pressure, processor 302 instructscontrol module 304 to generate electrosurgical energy in response to theprocessor instructions, to one or more of the seal plates 118, 128 suchthat a desired tissue effect maybe achieved (e.g., tissue seal).

Once the desired tissue effect has been achieved an operator may releasemoveable handle 40, which, in turn, causes the jaw members 110, 120 toreturn to their initial open configuration.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof the same. For example, instead of employing a drive assembly 130, asolenoid 132 may be directly connected to one or both of the jaw membersand configured for imparting movement of one or both of the jaw members.Additionally, solenoid 132 may be in the form of a “pancake motor” andmay disposed adjacent to or coupled to a pivot associated with the jawmembers 110, 120.

FIG. 8 shows a method 500 for performing an electrosurgical procedure.At step 502, an electrosurgical apparatus e.g. forceps 10 including apair of jaw members 110, 120 configured to grasp tissue therebetween isprovided. At step 504, tissue is positioned between the jaw members 110,120. At step 506, the electromechanical apparatus is actuated. And atstep 508, electrosurgical energy is applied to the jaw members 110, 120such that a tissue seal may be effected therebetween.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a handleassembly; at least one electromechanical device in operativecommunication with the handle assembly, the at least oneelectromechanical device adapted to connect to an energy source andconfigured to receive an actuation signal from the energy source whenthe handle assembly is actuated; an end effector assembly operablycoupled to the at least one electromechanical device to enable the atleast one electromechanical device to impart movement of the endeffector assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration;at least one mechanical interface associated with the at least oneelectromechanical device; and at least one corresponding mechanicalinterface associated with the end effector assembly and operably engagedwith the at least one mechanical interface associated with the at leastone electromechanical device such that, upon actuation of the handleassembly, the at least one electromechanical device receives theactuation signal and is energized to impart movement of the end effectorassembly from the first configuration to the second configuration. 2.The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end effectorassembly includes first and second jaw members, at least one of thefirst and second jaw members movable relative to the other to move theend effector assembly from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration.
 3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one mechanical interface includes a plurality of teeth, andwherein the at least one corresponding mechanical interface includes acorresponding plurality of teeth.
 4. The surgical instrument accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical interface includes atleast one cam pin, and wherein the at least one corresponding mechanicalinterface includes at least one corresponding cam slot.
 5. The surgicalinstrument according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneelectromechanical device includes a solenoid.
 6. The surgical instrumentaccording to claim 5, wherein the solenoid is housed within the endeffector assembly.
 7. The surgical instrument according to claim 5,wherein the at least one mechanical interface includes a protrusion at adistal end of the solenoid, and wherein the at least one correspondingmechanical interface is a corresponding opening configured to receivethe protrusion.
 8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, whereinthe handle assembly includes a movable handle.
 9. The surgicalinstrument according to claim 1, further including a drive rod operablycoupled between the at least one electromechanical device and the endeffector assembly.
 10. The surgical instrument according to claim 1,wherein the end effector assembly is adapted to connect to the energysource for supplying energy to tissue.
 11. A surgical system,comprising: a surgical instrument, including: a handle assembly; atleast one electromechanical device in operative communication with thehandle assembly, the at least one electromechanical device adapted toconnect to an energy source and configured to receive an actuationsignal from the energy source when the handle assembly is actuated; anend effector assembly operably coupled to the at least oneelectromechanical device to enable the at least one electromechanicaldevice to impart movement of the end effector assembly from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration; at least one mechanicalinterface associated with the at least one electromechanical device; andat least one corresponding mechanical interface associated with the endeffector assembly and operably engaged with the at least one mechanicalinterface associated with the at least one electromechanical device suchthat, upon actuation of the handle assembly, the at least oneelectromechanical device receives the actuation signal and is energizedto impart movement of the end effector assembly from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration; and an energy source inoperative communication with the surgical instrument, the energy sourcehaving at least one algorithm for at least one of independentlycontrolling or monitoring the delivery of energy from the energy sourceto the at least one electromechanical device and the end effectorassembly.
 12. The surgical system according to claim 11, wherein the endeffector assembly includes first and second jaw members, at least one ofthe first and second jaw members movable relative to the other to movethe end effector assembly from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration.
 13. The surgical system according to claim 11, whereinthe at least one mechanical interface includes a plurality of teeth, andwherein the at least one corresponding mechanical interface includes acorresponding plurality of teeth.
 14. The surgical system according toclaim 11, wherein the at least one mechanical interface includes atleast one cam pin, and wherein the at least one corresponding mechanicalinterface includes at least one corresponding cam slot.
 15. The surgicalsystem according to claim 11, wherein the at least one electromechanicaldevice includes a solenoid.
 16. The surgical system according to claim15, wherein the solenoid is housed within the end effector assembly. 17.The surgical system according to claim 15, wherein the at least onemechanical interface includes a protrusion at a distal end of thesolenoid, and wherein the at least one corresponding mechanicalinterface is a corresponding opening configured to receive theprotrusion.
 18. The surgical system according to claim 11, wherein thehandle assembly includes a movable handle.
 19. The surgical systemaccording to claim 11, further including a drive rod operably coupledbetween the at least one electromechanical device and the end effectorassembly.
 20. The surgical system according to claim 11, wherein the endeffector assembly is adapted to connect to the energy source forsupplying energy to tissue.